What’s the hurry? Speaker Madigan apparently thinks there has to be tough “accountability” measures in place to appease the Republicans so that they can then almost immediately enact some funding reform. So, teachers’ tenure, right to strike, and other job protections are the price legislators are extorting in order to do what they should have done a long time ago but have been too concerned about their own job protections to do.

Legislators are home now and no doubt would appreciate a phone call from you to explain that it’s unfair and irresponsible to rush a vote on a still-unofficial legislative proposal with questionable educational merit. Last Tuesday I asked you to e-mail the committee members – this week, it’s important to call your own state rep to make sure they do not and will not support the anti-teacher Performance Counts bill.

That proposal was commissioned by Advance Illinois, a front group for local corporate interests, and Stand for Children, a front group for Bill Gates, which has just moved into Illinois with its carpet bags and a huge election war chest. Not so surprisingly, it contributed generously to the campaigns of several members of the new House Ed Reform Committee, which I guess is what bought them that special seat next to AI’s Robin Steans at the Education Reform Panel table.

Of special interest is that mayoral candidate and Advance Illinois board member Miguel del Valle has rejected the Performance Counts agenda.

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